PASSIVE SOLAR Greenhouses are designed on different principles than a conventional greenhouse. They utilize a thermal blanket at night for heat retention and have a thick...
solid, well insulated North wall to protect against cold winter winds. Solar Greenhouses are designed for colder climates and have even been proven effective as far north as Canada. With minimal supplemental temperature input, the temperature in a passive solar greenhouse can be easily maintained for maximum production year round.
SOLAR GREENHOUSES are made out of similar materials as conventional greenhouses, excepting the glass panels which transfer heat too easily. The North wall is often built as well insulated as a home, and often dirt is piled against the outisde of the North wall, or bales of straw can also be used.
ADDITIONALLY, the North wall can be converted into a shed type building, providing 2 solid north walls and insulated accordingly. See the video below for an example of one of these greenhouses. Typically these buildings face south.
VENTING and windows are often added to the solid endwalls. Venting is also often added to the bottom 2 feet of the south wall and the top 2 feet of the North wall, allowing for strong airflow during warmer months.
THE IMAGES below are from the article linked in the image link above.
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Click here for a video tour of a Solar Greenhouse Construction
SOME OF THE materials needed to build a Passive Solar (Chinese) Greenhouse are shown below.
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Plastic Sheeting |
Greenhouse Shadecloth 20x48ft |
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| Insulating Thermal Blanket 24 in x 50ft
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Shelf Unit, Heavy Duty Adjustable
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Aluminum Tape 150 ft |
Reflective Mylar Sheeting 100'x4' |
Ceramic Fiber Insulating Blanket 2ft x 25ft |
